Biography for Gordon Mitchell:
Gordon is a resident of Newmarket.
- Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto.
- Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University.
- Member of ORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association) since 1982.
- Former member of the Toronto Musicians’ Union and the Canadian Accordion Teachers’ Association.
- Taught music in public and private school systems for over 30 years.
- Currently teaches music at Unionville Montessori School in Markham to students in grades 2 to 8.
- Conducted concert bands in Roy Thomson Hall in 1992, 1994, and 1996 at the Independent Schools' Music Festival; his jazz bands, concert bands and choirs have participated successfully in events around York Region, including “Music Alive” when in 2007 all his groups won gold.
- Adjudicated at both the Peel and Brock music festivals.
- Taught music privately for over 35 years.
- Prepared students for auditions, for entrance into post secondary music programs (university and college) and for Royal Conservatory of Music exams.
- Motivated many students to pursue careers in music.
- Conducted his musical groups in performances in the community and at music festivals, such as Kiwanis Music Festival.
- Teaches all the brass and woodwind instruments in addition to teaching vocal music, recorder and Orff (Orff was a German musician who developed a widely used system for teaching music to children and the Orff music education method was extended to adults by teachers at the University of Toronto; see ORFF LINK).
- Teaches clarinet, flute, alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet and accordion.